ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT FOR THE PROPOSED COMMERCIAL BUILDING TOWER DEVELOPMENT IN UPPERHILL NAIROBI FOR JABAVU VILLAGE LIMITED ON PLOT LR. NO 31/219

Abstract

The Proponent, Jabavu Village Limited, is proposing to construct a commercial building tower on Land Title No. Nairobi/ Block 31/219 at the junction of Upper Hill Road and Haile Selassie Avenue. The project plot area measures about 1.002 ha. The project will entail putting up a multiple use premise (45-storey building) that will comprise of two towers; one approximately 212.40 meters (696.9 feet) high and another one of about 137.40 metres (450.8 feet) high and associated facilities like parking bays occupying the middle ground. The plot preferred for the development has an area of about 2.5 acres. The design for the commercial building tower provides for the construction of four components; a commercial component of about 30,000 square meters of total floor area, a residential component of about 10,000 square meters of total floor area, a hotel of about 15, 000 square meters of total floor area and a retail component of maximum 15,000 square meters. This make the total planned development to have an accumulated total area of 70,000 square metres. The Kenya Government policy on such projects, programmes or activities requires that an Environmental Impact Assessment be carried out at the planning stages of the proposed undertaking to ensure that significant impacts on the environment are taken into consideration during the design, construction, operation and decommissioning of such projects, programmes or activities. Therefore, in compliance with the law and to avoid unnecessary conflicts that may retard development in the country, the proponent undertook this Environmental Impact Assessment and incorporated environmental concerns as required. The scope of this Environmental Impact Assessment, therefore, covered:  The baseline environmental conditions of the area  Description of the proposed project,  Provisions of the relevant environmental laws  Identification and discussion of any adverse negative impacts to the environment anticipated from the proposed project,  Appropriate mitigation measures,  Provision of an environmental management plan outline.